It may surprise you to hear that I’ve boycotted a state since I was a pre-teen. Don’t let it be said that the youth aren’t paying attention. They are. In this case, this state fought against ratifying a law that I believed in. And they were pretty low-key racist about it. In fact, in later years, some of the politicians who fought against this law would express contrition about their stance, because they had changed as people over the years. That first boycott was one of many that I’ve participated throughout my life. When people got upset about MLB moving the All-Star Game to Denver this summer, I just thought hit them where it hurts. And many of you listening to the show may be too young to know about how western countries divesting from South Africa got apartheid eliminated as a law. Artists stopped going to South Africa and businesses didn’t want to be associated with supporting apartheid.
In fact, there was even a song (Sun City) about not playing at the Sun City Resort. So, when Texas finally dropped the legal hammer on American women’s rights, I knew I would be compelled to act. In fact, there are 3 laws enacted in Texas during 2021 that I just don’t support and I can no longer look away while this is happening. What’s interesting about this for me is that I really like Texas. On my show “Square State Colorado” I often joke that if California and Texas had a wild love affair, Colorado would be the result. In fact, I prefer Texas to California. I don’t make the decision boycott lightly. In this episode I’m going to share what it’s like to boycott a state (I still hate that state LOL) why there is no one way to do it and that boycotting states can be complicated.
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In this episode I’m talking about boycotting states. If you’re in the FinCon Community you know that we’re heading to Texas this year for the conference. I spoke with 7 personal finance influencers about whether or not they plan on going to FinCon21. At the time we recorded the law HAD NOT BEEN PASSED. So, no one made a statement about it. I know that several of my guests have very strong opinions about this legislation and would have said something about it. Listen to that episode with that in mind.
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Related Episodes
- Creating a More Empathetic Financial Community One Bad Takes Bracket at a Time with Matt Lane
How to Boycott a State
- Recently I interviewed Tanja Hester about her new book “Wallet Activism” I’ll be sharing that episode soon and I hope you give it a read. The premise is literally how citizens can “vote with their dollars” and make spending decisions that are in alignment with their values. By the way, the book is available for preorder and you can also check out the podcast which creates stand alone content separate from the book.
- For those who know me well, you’re definitely aware that I’m constantly practicing “wallet activism” in a number of ways.
- I buy local and support local businesses whenever possible. In fact, this is a key part of my Colorado focused project: to highlight, uplift and share Colorado local businesses, people and initiatives.
- I actively avoid spending money at places that would mistreat me or other people. Mistreat their staff or just are out of alignment with my core values.
- I use car share and besides saving me a ton of money, it’s an earth friendly mode of transportation
- So, when Texas started passing laws that I find highly problematic, I began to ask myself “Is this a place that I want to support with my time and dollars?” Moving forward the answer is “no” The irony isn’t lost on me that I am heading into the belly of the beast in two weeks but those plans have been set. If you’re thinking about boycotting Texas, some other state or company or a person here are 7 lessons that I’ve learned from years of financial activism.
Lesson #1-You have to design a Boycott that YOU Can Stick To
- For boycotting a state it could be as simple as never visiting that state. In my case I’ve visited 45 of the United States. Deciding to not visit that state again has been relatively straightforward. I broke that boycott one time because an organization I belong to always hosts reunions in that state. I attended and I had racist bullshit happen several times that week. Reconfirming that that state still has problematic people in it. Btw, of course Colorado has racists but I encounter issues maybe once a year. Versus 3 distinct incidents (with different people) during a 5 day trip. I was just minding my business and that state continues to suck.
- If you make things too complicated it’s just a matter of time before you do the thing that you’ve tried to avoid.
- I am currently boycotting 4 US states and actively will avoiding them moving forward. They don’t need my money. One of those states may surprise you.
Lesson #2-Not Everyone Will Respect or Understand What You’re Doing
- Your beliefs or your stance and you’re just going to have to suck it up and deal. Because you’re staying true to yourself. I’ve noticed this especially when boycotting artists. I have boycotted Woody Allen every since he married his wife’s daughter and I will forever believe that the relationship was inappropriate. In fact, when I’m actively dating telling me you’re a fan of Woody Allen was a sure way to never hear from me again. I just can’t forget the image of the Valentine’s Card that Mia Farrow created with knives stuck in it. I also boycott
- Kanye West-I will never forget the past 5 years
- Armie Hammer because he’s suspect
- Kirstie Alley
- Bill Cosby
- Kevin Sorbo-No more Hercules for me.
- Some of these seem funny, but I don’t want a DIME of my hard earned money going to these people if I can help it. And a lot of people will compartmentalize what makes these people problematic.
- Companies that I’m currently actively boycotting
- Nabisco
- Brandy Melville-especially if I were buying clothes for a teen
Lesson #3 Targeted Support of Like-Minded Businesses
Or, organizations.
- One of the most important aspects to consider when boycotting a state is how to avoid harming those who you support.
- In 2021 we have the internet. So, there are a lot of ways to support businesses, people and organizations that are in alignment with your values-even in states that you’re boycotting.
- Check social media feeds of the businesses you would like to support. More often than not, brands will share who and what they support. Making it easy for you to say “yes” or “no” to them.
- Buy gift cards to local businesses who may be impacted by boycotts from out-of-state tourists. Especially if you have friends and family in those areas.
- Share those businesses with others on social media. TikTok in particular can be really impactful for a business.
- If you have a website or podcast that celebrates travel reach out to those businesses and shout them out.
- Supporting local media in the state that you’re boycotting that provides balanced coverage of the issue you care about
- Sending money to political candidates during the next election cycles in order to flip leadership
- Contributing to voting organizations looking to secure the right to vote in those states
- I’ve seen financial support for providing aid to women looking to make reproductive decisions but may otherwise not have the finances to travel to neighboring states OR MEXICO to practice reproductive autonomy.
Lesson #4 Don’t Shame Others for Their Choices
Remember how I mentioned that I would not be supporting Kanye moving forward? I know of people who are closely connected to him and very much support his work. I’m not here to make them feel wrong for their choices. My goal is to always be in alignment with MY personal beliefs as I make MY choices. This approach helps me to avoid conflict over issues that I’m passionate about and am not going to change my mind about. It’s likely that people your life are the same way. Have your say, if appropriate, then move on.
Lesson #5 Have a Clear Goal Behind Your Boycott
- Clarity connects with purpose and it makes it easier for you to stay true to your boycott. Here are few of my goals when actively boycotting a place, person or organization.
- Cause disruption. Make it uncomfortable to uphold problematic beliefs and systems.
- Hurt their cash flow.
- Keep a constant conversation flowing around the issue. There’s no hiding!
Lesson #6-Support People, Places and Organizations
That are in alignment with my values. Again, this could be related to
- Policy on employment
- Policies connected to gender and race
- How employers treat their employees
- If a business has childcare, provides benefits, etc.
- General treatment of folks
Lesson #7-Financial Boycotts Often Aren’t Fast
This will be a tough lesson for a lot of people to hear. Especially because many folks nowadays expect change to happen fast. Typically, it doesn’t. And that really sucks. It can takes days, months, years or an entire lifetime to get the change that you’re looking for. This issue of longevity is part of the reason why I say that your boycott has to be easy for you to sustain. And the more you boycott the easier it gets. I just have a pretty straightforward list in my head that I know I’m going to deal with.
Boycotting Texas?
Be prepared to commit to the process. I’m sad because I wanted to do a road trip to Marfa, Texas and stay at the El Cosmico. I’d planned to road trip it to Marfa after the conference. But I now feel that it’s just too unsafe with the current climate and gun laws to travel as a single Black woman throughout the state. I don’t need anyone to try to convince me otherwise. It’s how I feel. In order for these boycotts to really have impact businesses and leaders with in the state will have to get angry enough to repeal the laws and to boot the Governor. It’s going to take awhile for the financial pain to be felt in Texas.
If you’re thinking about boycotting a state, person or organization what feels like the most complicated aspect of it?
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